Live coverage: Raiders vs Manly

Lee Gaskin -May 4, 2012

Canberra Raiders coach David Furner. Photo: Jeffrey Chan

Fulltime: The Manly Sea Eagles restore pride back into Brookvale Oval with an 18-12 victory against the Canberra Raiders. After a shock loss to the Gold Coast Titans two weeks ago, the reigning premiers scored three tries to two to hold out a persistent Raiders outfit. The Raiders have lost their last three games and are now 3-6 ahead of next Sunday's home match against the Parramatta Eels.

78min: That was just about the game. Cherry-Evans toes the ball ahead but it trickles over dead-ball line. The Raiders still a chance, down by six points with three minutes left.

76min: Manly get another break when Fensom is penalised for not playing the ball properly, although replays suggest Manly players stepped on the ball.

74min: We know he can launch massive drop outs, and Josh Dugan delivers a 50m kick for touch to put the Raiders on the charge. But Shaun Fensom drops a pass with no-one around him to let the Sea Eagles off the hook.

70min: Not much in that penalty which gives the Sea Eagles a crucial six-point buffer. Shaun Fensom has his hands on the ball when Steve Matai losses it getting up to play the ball. Lyon makes no mistake. Manly 18-12

67min: The Raiders shooting themselves in the foot with a 7-2 penalty count. Can't argue many of them, just poor discipline. No wonder Dave Furner's shaking his head in the coach's box.

65min: High quality stuff in the second half - Manly 11/11 completion rate, the Raiders 8/9

60min: Wow, where do I start? Desperate defence from Matt Ballin and Darcy Lussick prevent Shaun Fensom from getting the ball down. From the next play, the Raiders kick to the right sideline where Ferguson contests it and Jack Wighton flick it back in field. The ball finds Josh McCrone, who grubber kicks through toward the posts, Fensom winning the mad scramble to the ball. But after several looks, the video ref finds that Wighton stepped out when he touched the ball, no try.

56min: Manly have a bit of luck to take back the lead. Jamie Lyon wins the race to a loose ball in the in-goal, but the play only started when Steve Matai make a busting run up field after a lazy defensive effort from Blake Ferguson. Lyon's conversion bounces in off the post. Manly 16-12

53min: Don't envy the blokes tasked with stopping Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, an absolute monster when he's going. He gets within a couple of metres within the line, Josh Dugan darting over from the next tackle to draw the scores level. Jarrod Croker converts to put the visitors in front for the first time today. Raiders 12-10

49min: No worries this time around, Whare getting his double in the right-hand corner after finishing off great ballplay from Brett Stewart and Jamie Lyon. Whare is only in the team with David ''the Wolfman'' Williams out with illness. Lyon scuffs his attempt along the ground. Manly lead 10-6

44min: The Sea Eagles go within inches of breaking the deadlock, Liam Foran getting held up over the line with Josh Dugan helping to force the ball free. After several looks the video ref signals ref's call, with the Raiders dropping the ball out after Shaun Berrigan got his hands to it.

41min: Seeing way too much of Joel Thompson, gives the Brooky fans a full moon aka Nathan Hindmarsh.

41min: Here we go for the second half, Raiders get first use of the ball with the scores locked at 6-all.

Halftime: Getting a lot of comments that Shaun Berrigan has showed in less than 10 minutes on the field that he should be the No 9 for the Raiders for the rest of the year. First-choice hooker Glen Buttriss missing this game with a knee injury.

Halftime: Matt Ballin the game's leading tackler with 26 in the first half. Centre Jack Wighton leading the Raiders with 15, and importantly hasn't missed one.

Halftime: Entertaining first half, the Raiders putting up a much stronger fight than most experts predicted. Manly looking very dangerous up the middle and could break the game open at any time.

40min: Brett Stewart putting up his hand for Origin duties, sensational try-saving tackle on a flying Blake Ferguson, pushing the Raiders winger out over the touchline.

39min: Anthony Watmough blowing up deluxe after a pass from Darcy Lussick is called forward. Watmough was under the posts from Luccisk's miracle ball, going to the ground and getting the ball out in among two Raiders defenders.

38min: Crash, bang, Blake Ferguson comes off second best after a shuddering collision ball back. Entertaining contest all round.

36min: Jamie Lyon, take a bow. Fantastic effort to get over the in-goal from a Sam Williams grubber kick.

35min: Manly under the pump, Glenn Stewart tapping the ball over the dead ball line just ahead of a chasing Raiders pack. Good pressure from the Green Machine.

33min: Shaun Berrigan on the field now at dummy-half for the Raiders, should add good direction and tackle everything that moves.

32min: End to end stuff here, you wouldn't have thought the Raiders had leaked 74 points in the past two weeks. Looking likely in attack after a slow start but Manly showing plenty of character.

30min: Bit of razzle dazzle down the right from the Raiders. Josh McCrone having a blinder, puts Wighton in a gap who gives to Ferguson, who chips over the top and contains Brett Stewart close to his own try line.

28min: The Raiders getting killed in the penalties, down 4-1. Saying that, Manly has conceded a slew of errors to cancel it out.

26min: Sensational day for footy at Brooky, another great advertisement for keeping surburban grounds.

23min: Just as I say that, the Raiders hit back to level the scores. Manly's errors keeping the Raiders in the game, Josh McCrone taking advantage with a lovely short ball on the right-edge to put Josh Papalii through a gaping hole close to the line. Jarrod Croker converts, 6-all

19min: How the heck have Manly not increased the lead? Carving the Raiders up in the middle of the park, spreading the ball from within their own 20m. Raiders just hanging in, haven't seen much possession.

14min: Danger signs for the Raiders, Steve Matai getting through some feeble defence down the right-hand side only to lose the ball when trying to off-load.

12min: Hope Tim Sheens is watching the efforts of Cherry-Evans. The Manly halfback, left on the bench for the Test match, not only sets up tries, he also stops them, stealing the ball in a one-on-one tackle 10m out from his own line.

11min: The Sea Eagles are in through Dean Whare. Blake Ferguson shows his rocks or diamonds tag with a terrible knock on 10m out from his own line. Manly shift the ball to the right, Glenn Stewart giving a stern don't argue to put Whare on the outside of his man, the winger diving over in the right-hand touchline. Lyon slides over the conversion. Manly 6-0

8min: Josh Dugan taking over the general kicking in the absence of Terry Campese, launching a few high balls to Brett Stewart.

5min: Easy to see why a couple of clubs are circling Matt Ballin, the off-contract Manly hooker gives his front-rowers plenty of great ball.

4min: Great take from Brett Stewart, never looked like dropping the high ball. His battle with Josh Dugan will be worth the price of admission alone.

3min: Tom Learoyd-Lahrs looking more like Sideshow Bob with every game, that fro is getting out of control. Needs a big game to push for an Origin berth.

1min: Solid first set from the Sea Eagles, nothing special but a deep kick from Cherry-Evans to finish it off.

Pre-game: Interested to see how Jack Wighton fares in the centres for the Raiders. A sensational talent, has done well on the wing and should do more damage closer to the ball. Berrigan on the bench gives the Raiders more options at dummy-half.

Pre-game: Welcome to Brookvale Oval for the round nine NRL match between the Manly Sea Eagles and the Canberra Raiders. Both teams have made late changes. Dean Whare comes onto the wing for David Williams, while Daniel Harrison starts in the second row with Jamie Buhrer back to the bench. For the Raiders, young gun Jack Wighton will start in the centres to allow veteran utility Shaun Berrigan to start on the bench. Berrigan will spend time at dummy-half. Kiwi international Bronson Harrison is 18th man, with Joe Picker taking his place on the bench.